Mailbag: The Windows 10 Double-Bubble Edition (Issue #13)

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Welcome to the last Friday before Windows 10 launches! If you've been playing along at home, you likely realized that we did a mailbag post just a few days ago - on Monday of this week. Well, what can we say? It's busy-times here at Microsoft. Many of us are involved in some form of Windows 10 mania, so we have some fresh Windows 10 info we wanted to share with you. We have some other topics, too, so get yourself a cold can of Mountain Dew KickStart and let's roll.

 

Q – I've heard some interesting things about the new Active Directory security analysis and incident detection product but I'm unclear if it's an on-prem solution or is it cloud-based?

A - Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics or "ATA" is an on-prem solution that is pretty amazing. Don't take my word for it, though, take it straight from the Principal PM's mouth:

https://blogs.technet.com/b/ad/archive/2015/07/22/microsoft-advanced-threat-analytics-coming-next-month.aspx

 

Q – We have had DirSync in place for a while for synchronizing on-prem AD to Azure AD for O365. We're looking to get to Azure AD Connect but are leery of the upgrade process … how should we move forward?

A – We're not one to re-invent the wheel if we can help it – there is a very thorough post that's got your covered (of course, you should always test any significant changes in a lab).

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/active-directory-aadconnect-dirsync-upgrade-get-started/

 

Q - I have setup a custom Azure RemoteApp Cloud deployment that I need to update so I can publish a couple more applications. I don't have the original template image available any longer. Can I do that and if so, how?

A – Our own Jim Kelly has encountered this very question, so he wrote up the process here for everyone's benefit

https://www.jkazure.com/

 

Q – I want to get (re) certified but I have some "known unknowns" as well as likely some "unknown unknowns". I don't really know what to expect. Any advice?

A – We're PFEs; we always have advice J

  1. This is the main page for Microsoft certification info and should likely be an early stop for you 
    1. https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/certification-overview.aspx
  2. Then, go here and find the exam/cert you're looking to get – this provides the skills measured and offers many links to resources for prep
    1. https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-list.aspx
  3. Visit the TechNet eval center to get fully-functional trial versions of products (and other resources) to gain knowledge and hands-on experience with the product(s)
    1. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/
  4. With the free 'second shot' offer, you can take a test between July 12, 2015 and Jan 12, 2016 and if the result is "less than passing," double-down on your prep efforts and then sign up to take the exam again at no additional cost. Another way to look at this is – you pay for the second test and the first one is a no-cost practice test. In any event, I'll bet $5 of Moser's money that as long as you prep appropriately, you'll pass one or the other.
    1. https://borntolearn.mslearn.net/b/weblog/archive/2015/07/12/the-return-of-second-shot-in-july-2015
  5. One of our prior posts, even though it is a bit dated, covers some training options
    1. https://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2014/02/19/alternative-microsoft-training-options-many-free.aspx

 

Q – I'm confused about the Windows 10 in-place upgrade. There were some updates for Windows 7 and/or 8.1 that are related to the upgrade but the details in those KBs were sketchy at best. I've seen forums and other sites refer to various registry keys, GPOs/ADMX files, the Windows logo tray app (GWX), etc. Help me help myself.

A – Very recently, we've updated two KBs and published a new one with a plethora of details and guidance for how to control the many aspects of the Windows 10 in-place upgrade.

 

Q – I'm excited for the Windows 10 launch. How can I be a part of the experience?

A - In our last post, we mentioned the UpgradeYourWorld program and another great way to be a part of the action is to head to your nearest Microsoft Store:

https://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/07/20/join-microsoft-stores-to-celebrate-windows-10-with-special-events-guest-appearances-workshops-and-more/

 

Lastly, if you're in IT, you've likely been using or working with/on Windows in some form or fashion for quite some time. You may have been a part of past Windows releases, deployments, and/or operations from WFW, 3.1, 4.0, 95, 98, Millennium, 2000, XP/2003, Vista/2008, 7/2008 R2, 8.0/2012, 8.1/2012 R2.  

For us platforms-focused PFEs, a new release of the Windows OS is always exciting but Windows 10 seems to have a higher-than usual level of excitement and positive energy.  We think you'll love it.

 

Cheers and Happy Friday from Hilde, Dan Cuomo, Mike Kline and Jim Kelly